Replacing Electrical Receptacles: Tools You'll Need To Remove Fuse Face Plate
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Replacing Electrical Receptacles
Loose receptacles aren't just an inconvenience, they a safety hazard. Don't let a loose or defective receptacle get you down, it only takes 10 minutes to change one and almost anybody can do it.
Here's the tools you'll need for the job:
- Slotted Screwdriver
- Needle-Nose Pliers
- Electrical Tester
Preparing to Remove the Plate
If possible, locate the breaker or fuse for the wire run the receptacle is on. Turn it off. If the breakers are not labeled, you'll have to try the 'hunt and peck' method by plugging something into the outlet, like a light, and flipping breakers. Have a helper holler when you get the right one.After you're sure the power to that receptacle is off, remove the screw or screws that hold the face plate on. Then remove the two screws from the top and bottom yokes of the receptacle. If your new receptacle does not include screws, save these.
Now pull the receptacle out of the box. They don't typically pull out very far, only a few inches. This is enough to loosen the terminals on each side of the receptacle. If the bare wire that is visible is in good condition, you can use it as is. If not, you'll need to cut it off and re-strip the wire. Then bend a 'J' with your needle nose pliers.
Installing the New Receptacle
Attach the wire to the terminals on the new receptacle. The standard scheme is red or black wire is attached to the brass terminal, and white is attached to the silver terminal. Green or bare wire is attached to the ground terminal, which is usually green as well.Series or Parallel
There are two basic schemes for wiring receptacles. If the receptacles were wired in series, you'll see two sets of wires connecting to the receptacle. With this method though, if you get a break in the circuit, all the receptacles downstream stop working as well. So if you see this type of connection, you might want to consider converting it over to parallel.If your outlets are wired in parallel, you'll see a 'pigtail' (short wire) coming from a wire nut to each terminal. This is the preferred method and isn't much harder to do. Take a look at the diagram for a better explanation.
